Absorbent pad for a broom or mop

ABSTRACT

An absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a floor brush, broom or mop comprises a floor-engaging surface of an absorbent material, there being provided channels extending from the leading edge of the pad toward the rear edge but terminating in the bulk of the absorbent pad. The implement is useful for collecting liquid spills while avoiding a snowplow effect on the liquid.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cleaning apparatus, and in particular, the invention relates to absorbent pads for use with floor brooms, brushes or mops.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of absorbent pads with brooms, brushes or mops is known. For example, an absorbent pad may be attached to an elongated handle assembly to form a unitary cleaning tool. This cleaning tool can be used on the surface of a floor to absorb unwanted liquids and to scrub the floor. After use, the absorbent pad may be detached from the handle assembly for washing and/or replacement.

Conventional absorbent pads are generally rectangular in shape, with the surface that contacts the floor being made from a water-absorbent material, such as microfiber or yarn. However, one disadvantage of conventional absorbent pads is that when the absorbent pad is pushed towards liquid on a floor, the leading, or front, edge of the absorbent pad will typically come into contact with the liquid first. Although some of the liquid may be absorbed by portions of the absorbent pad proximate to its leading edge, much of the liquid may begin to accumulate against the leading edge and be simply be pushed along the floor by the absorbent pad.

There is therefore a need for an absorbent pad that allows for better and more efficient liquid absorption. This and other objects will be better understood by reference to this application as a whole. Not all of the objects are necessarily met by all embodiments of the invention described below or by the invention as defined by each of the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a floor brush, broom or mop comprises a floor-engaging surface of an absorbent material, there being provided channels extending from the leading edge of the pad toward the rear edge but terminating in the bulk of the absorbent pad. The implement is useful for collecting liquid spills while avoiding a snowplow effect on the liquid.

In one embodiment of the invention, an absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a floor brush, broom or mop comprises opposing first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front edge and a rear edge. The front edge comes into contact with liquid during operation of the implement. The first surface comprises one or more channels, with the channels extending from the front edge towards the rear edge and terminating before the rear edge. The second surface is adapted to detachably attach to the handle assembly.

In another embodiment, the first surface comprises a fibrous absorbent material and the one or more channels are formed by compressing one or more portions of the fibrous material.

In still yet another embodiment, the one or more channels are defined by stitching of said absorbent material.

In a further embodiment, at least one of the one or more channels extend substantially perpendicularly to the front edge.

In still a further embodiment, at least one of the one or more channels extend approximately halfway between the front edge and the rear edge.

In still yet a further embodiment, a width of at least one of the one or more channels is the greatest at the front edge.

In a further embodiment, the at least one of the one or more channels is tapered.

In another embodiment, a floor brush, broom or mop comprises an elongated handle, a handle assembly connected to the handle, and an absorbent pad removably attached the handle assembly. The absorbent pad comprises opposing first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front edge and a rear edge. The front edge comes into contact with liquid during operation of the implement. The first surface comprises one or more channels, with the channels extending from the front edge towards the rear edge and terminating before the rear edge. The second surface is adapted to detachably attach to the handle assembly.

In still another embodiment, the second surface is attached to the handle assembly using hook-and-loop fasteners.

The foregoing was intended as a summary only and of only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed description of the embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by reference to the drawings thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the absorbent pad in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the first surface of the absorbent pad of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 viewed along the rear edge;

FIG. 4 shows the second surface of the absorbent pad of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 viewed along the front edge;

FIG. 6 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 viewed along one side;

FIG. 7 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 viewed along another side;

FIG. 8 is another view of the first surface of the absorbent pad of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of the absorbent pad taken along 9-9 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 shows the absorbent pad of FIG. 1 in use as part of a mop viewed from below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 7, an absorbent pad 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention comprises opposing first and second surfaces 102, 104. The absorbent pad 100 is generally defined by a longitudinal front edge 106, a longitudinal rear edge 108, and two lateral side edges 110. Preferably, the absorbent pad 100 has a generally rectangular shape, with the front edge 106 and the rear edge 108 being substantially parallel to each other and the side edges 110 being substantially parallel to each other.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, lateral ends 116 of the absorbent pad 100 are folded over the side edges 110 (as best shown in FIG. 1), resulting in the first surface 102 extending for a distance over and beyond the side edges 110. This also results in the second surface 104 being folded onto itself for a similar distance from the side edges 110. However, it is understood that this folding over of the first surface 102 is not necessary. For example, the first and second surfaces 102, 104 may simply terminate at the side edges 110.

The second surface 104 is adapted to be removably attached to a handle assembly 200 to form a brush, broom or mop 300. This description will refer to the implement simply as a mop for convenience. The handle assembly 200 preferably comprises an elongated handle 202 and an attachment member 204. The attachment member 204 is connected to the elongated handle 202 and is also adapted to be attached to the second surface 104. The attachment of the second surface 104 to the attachment member 204 may be effected in a number of ways. For example, at least a portion of the second surface 104 may be adapted to engage with the attachment member 204 using hook-and-loop fasteners (i.e. Velcro™) or adhesive materials. Preferably, the attachment of the second surface 104 with the attachment member 204 is sufficiently strong to cause the absorbent pad 100 to remain attached to the attachment member 204 while the mop 300 is in use, but not too strong as to prevent the removal of the absorbent pad 100 from the attachment member 204 for replacement or cleaning.

The first surface 102 is intended to be in direct engaging contact with a floor 400 while the mop 300 is in use. It is preferably substantially made from an absorbent fibrous material, such as microfiber, yarn, or some other suitable material.

In addition, the front or leading edge 106 is intended to first come into contact with liquid 402 on the floor 400 when the absorbent pad 100 is pushed along the floor 400 in direction A, as shown in FIG. 1, bearing in mind that surface 102 is the surface that is in direct contact with the floor.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, one or more channels 112 are formed on the first surface 102 and extend from the front edge 106 (or proximate to the front edge 106) towards the rear edge 108. The channels 112 preferably do not extend entirely to the rear edge 108 but instead terminate before and short of the rear or trailing edge 108. For example, the channels 112 preferably terminate approximately halfway between the front edge 106 and the rear edge 108. It is also possible that the channels terminate at a distance that may be greater than or less then halfway between the front edge 106 and the rear edge 108.

All of the channels 112 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the front edge 106. In other words, a longitudinal axis of the channels 112 may extend substantially perpendicularly from the front edge 106. However, in other embodiments, the channels 112 may be oriented in different directions with respect to the front edge 106.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the width of the channels 112 decreases as the channels 112 move away from the front edge 106, such as to create a tapered effect for the channels 112. However, it is understood that the width of the channels 112 may also be relatively constant. It is also possible that the width of the channels 112 may not decrease at a constant rate as the channels 112 move away from the front edge 106. For example, the width of the channels 112 may decrease at various intervals, such as to create a staggered effect.

The channels 112 may be formed by compressing portions of the first surface 102. For example, where the first surface 102 comprises fibrous material, the channels 112 may be formed by compressing and stitching down portions of the fibrous material to create the shape and orientation of the channels 112, as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The compression of portions of the first surface 102 form channel edges 114, which define the periphery of the channels 112.

Referring to FIG. 10, the operation of the absorbent pad 100 will now be described. The absorbent pad 100 is attached to the attachment member 204 using the second surface 104. Once the absorbent pad 100 has been attached to the attachment member 204 (to form the mop 300), the mop 300 can be used to absorb the liquid 402 on the floor 400. To do so, the mop 300 may be pushed in the direction of the liquid 402. When the liquid 402 comes into contact with the front edge 106, some of the liquid 402 may be absorbed by portions of the first surface 102 proximate to the front edge 106. The remainder of the liquid 402 will move into one or more of the channels 112 formed on the front edge 106.

As the mop 300 is continued to be pushed along the floor 400, the remainder of the liquid 402 continues to move along the one or more channels 112. Along the way, some of the liquid 402 may be absorbed by portions of the first surface 102 proximate to the channel edges 114 as the liquid 402 moves along the channels 112. Any of the liquid 402 that reaches the ends of the channels 112 will be absorbed by portions of the first surface 102 proximate to the ends of the channels 112.

In this manner, instead of the liquid 402 being concentrated on the front edge 106, at least a portion of the liquid 402 may be moved to the interior of the first surface 102 through the channels 112. Without the presence of the channels 112, the portions of the first surface 102 proximate to the front edge 106 may become saturated with the liquid 402. When this occurs, any remainder of the liquid 402 would not be absorbed by the first surface 102 but would instead be pushed along the floor by the (saturated) front edge 106.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment has been described in some detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without departing from the principles of the invention. 

1. An absorbent pad for attachment to a handle assembly of a floor brush, broom or mop, the absorbent pad comprising: opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front edge and a rear edge, wherein the front edge comes into contact with liquid during operation of the brush, broom or mop; wherein the first surface comprises one or more channels, the channels extending from the front edge towards the rear edge and terminating before said rear edge; and wherein the second surface is adapted to detachably attach to the handle assembly.
 2. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a fibrous absorbent material and the one or more channels are formed by compressing portions of the fibrous material.
 3. The absorbent pad of claim 2, wherein the one or more channels are formed by stitching said fibrous absorbent material.
 4. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more channels extend substantially perpendicularly to the front edge.
 5. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more channels extend approximately halfway between the front edge and the rear edge.
 6. The absorbent pad of claim 1, wherein a width of at least one of the one or more channels is the greatest at the front edge.
 7. The absorbent pad of claim 6, wherein the at least one of the one or more channels is tapered.
 8. A floor brush, broom or mop comprising: an elongated handle; a handle assembly connected to the handle; and an absorbent pad removably attached the handle assembly, the absorbent pad comprising: opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are defined, at least in part, by a front edge and a rear edge, wherein the front edge comes into contact with liquid during operation of the brush, broom or mop; and, wherein the first surface comprises one or more channels, the channels extending from the front edge towards the rear edge and terminating before said rear edge; and wherein the second surface is detachably attachable to the handle assembly.
 9. The brush, broom or mop of claim 8, wherein the second surface is attached to the handle assembly using hook-and-loop fasteners. 